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National Archives, The

The National Archives of England, Wales and the United Kingdom has one of the largest archival collections in the world, spanning 1000 years of British history, from Domesday Book of 1086 to the most recent government papers. The National Archives is a unique record of the past. Whatever your interests, they have documents that will bring you closer to history as it happened.

The organisation is a national resource for anyone interested in, or with a responsibility for, documents relating to British history: whether for professional research reasons, as an archivist or records manager, for schools or learning projects or, simply for personal curiosity and a unique day out.

The National Archives is open to the public 6 days a week, and holds 9.5 million documents, including sources for family history research, on 100 miles of shelving.

The National Archives works with central government to help documents now, which will be open to the public in 30 years time and also provides advice for central government record officers, certain archives, and increasingly for local government to ensure these records are looked after in a way which will guarantee their preservation for future generations. The National Archives is leading in the area of digital preservation and is a renowned expert in conservation.

Anyone over 14 can become a reader at The National Archives on production of formal identification (passport, driving licence or bank card). This allows you access to the Reading Rooms where you can choose to see, and in most cases actually handle, original documents up to 1000 years old. Registering for a readers ticket is free, easy and takes about 5 minutes.

There are behind the scenes tours that take you into the vaults where the nation's secrets are kept, learn about how documents are selected to become public records and how parchment is conserved every Saturday at 11.00am and 2.00pm (booking essential).

There is also a history bookshop, cafe and museum with is permanent displays and a rolling programme of exhibitions showcasing many treasures from the National Archives.

Opening Times:
Monday 9.00am-5.00pm;
Tuesday 10.00am-7.00pm;
Wednesday 9.00am-5.00pm;
Thursday 9.00am-7.00pm;
Friday 9.00am-5.00pm;
Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm.

Documents ordering times:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9.30am-4.15pm;
Tuesday 10.00am-4.45pm, Thursday 9.30am-4.45pm,
Saturday 9.30am-3.15pm.

Closure dates:
Easter: Friday 6 April to Monday 9 April
May Bank Holiday: Saturday 5 May to Monday 7 May
Spring Bank Holiday: Saturday 26 May to Monday 28 May
August Bank Holiday: Saturday 25 August to Monday 27 August
Annual Stocktaking: Friday 7 December to Monday 10 December
Christmas 2007: Saturday 22 December to Wednesday 26 December*
New Years Day 2008: Tuesday 1 January.

Note: Ad-hoc closures of the reading rooms at Kew may be required in 2007 for building works in connection with the relocation of FRC services in 2008. As much notice as possible will be given regarding these works.